Simple vs Complex Design – Choosing a Logo for Your Business

When you think about some of the most recognizable brands in the world, which businesses tend to come to your mind?

FUN FACT: Well-known businesses have successful brand logos that the world can easily identify.

Logo designs such as Starbucks, Mercedes, or Nike dominate the world by recognition. These successful logo designs are both simple and complex. So should your logo be simple or more complex?

Your logo is one of the first things your customers will see. An effective design that fits your business can help create brand recognition, loyalty, and a stronger company message.

When choosing the best logo for your company, it is important to decide if the design should be simple or complex. Should you go for design as basic as a swoosh like Nike, or something as detailed as Starbucks?

The advantages and disadvantages of simple and complex logo designs can help you achieve different goals as a business identity.

Why should you choose a simple logo design?

Keep it straightforward. The advantages of a simple logo design include:

Easy to look at and remember

Simple logos are clear and distinct, making them easier to notice and remember. The simplicity of the design attracts attention and helps customers remember your specific business.

Easily understood by many types of people

Simple logos do not require your customer to speak a certain language or understand a cultural concept. The boundaries of language, age, race, and culture can be overcome with a simple logo.

Less prone to imitation

Simple logos have fewer details and color. The simplicity of the design makes it more difficult for competitors to redesign your logo. This helps create a distinct and inimitable business identity.

A logo that includes lots of colors, shapes and text can confuse your customer. In some cases, the more they see, the less they understand.

Easily imitated

Complex logo designs offer competitors the opportunity to copy your logo. A simple change of color or alteration of design could result in a competitor copying the logo. This could confuse your customers with multiple similarly looking logos.

Brand logos provide businesses the opportunity to create a recognizable and consistent business image and identity. Successful logos communicate the purpose of a business while distinguishing itself from competitors.

Depending on the needs of your business, you must asses if a simple or complex logo design will be more successful. Both styles of logo design have advantages that could set your logo apart from competitors. When deciding if a simple or complex logo design, it is important to remember this is what customers will associate with your business.